Wellness in Interiors

The Inextricable Link Between Design And Health & Well-Being

The pandemic has been one of the most dramatic disruptions to human activity in a generation. In response to such a significant shift, many in the design industry are redefining what really matters in the design of our homes, cities and products. In particular, the home has been recast as a mission-control centre for wellness, work, school and play, changing the way we design the spaces we live in. The subtleties of interior design can have huge impacts on our mental and physical health – whether that’s through strong spatial design, aspects of colour and texture, or a connection to the outside.

On a basic, primal level, human beings need shelter, but beyond that, we want warmth, light, comfort, beauty and a deep connection with those around us and our immediate environment. Our response to our habitats and surroundings can be both a conscious and subconscious reaction – intertwined with our views on what we like together with our instincts for security and stimulation. Never has it been more pertinent for our homes to be safe havens, places of calm and joy when the world around us is in such significant flux.

Here at Studio III, we believe that it is a deep consciousness of our immediate external environment that will help us meet the challenges of creating a more efficient, less consumptive focused design that significantly promotes long-lasting health and well-being for us as humans and that also minimises the impact on nature. It is an approach that is mindful of the person’s everyday life (which is specific and unique) in context with its external environment, where locality is critical. There are many things we can be doing to inject more wellness into our interiors and designs – little or large, it all counts. Here are our top 5 tips for wellness in interiors:

Secluded Garden Studio designed by Studio III incorporating an at-home gym and office area with strong connections to its surrounding environment

01. Colour and eco-friendly materials

The colour green has been a relatively recent trend that continues to be well-liked, particularly for its importance in creating a connection with nature and imbuing a sense of calm. Green stands for balance, nature, spring, and rebirth. It’s the symbol of prosperity, freshness, and progress. Choosing the right colour for you will depend on the function of the room and how dark/light it is – go for emerald tones in north-facing living rooms or sage green in south-facing kitchens and bathrooms. Paired with a light bouncing white and warm tans/oranges will create a harmonious scheme that balances the senses.

Colour psychology runs deeper than just the latest trends – for some, deep burgundy or pastel blues make them feel at home, calm and safe. It’s important to choose a colour that resonates with you – generally, reds, oranges and yellows, are stimulating, and greens, blues and purples, are soothing. Working with an interior designer can help marry a combination of energising and calming colours to create the optimal environment for you, remembering that these can be multi-layered depending on the room and function.

Materials and finishes are important elements in bringing wellness into your interior. Using natural materials throughout your home brings both a (sensory) connection to nature and can be a good environmental choice. Wood (particularly oak), copper and wool are known for their inherent anti- microbial properties, versatility in design, and on balance are good sustainable materials that don’t leach harmful pollutants. Looking for VOC low paints will reduce harmful air pollutants and are better for the environment – from eco brands like Lick and Earthborn to trade suppliers such as Johnstones Trade Air Pure Matt – there is something for everyone’s budget.

Sustainable, breathable eco-friendly paints by Earthborn in gloriously soft green hues. Going green never felt more sumptuous.

02. Indoor plants and natural motifs

Studies have found that elements or reminders of the natural world have a positive effect on mental and physical health. The term biophilia refers to the ways that humans need and seek out connections with nature. Embracing this desire with the focus on reimagining the home as a healthier living environment is a powerful driver to well-being.

Bringing plants indoors is an easy way to create an immediate connection to nature and can also improve air quality if you choose the right plants. There are numerous suppliers to choose from, but one of our favourites is Patch plants with their easy to care for guides and natty names. Using organic shapes and natural forms will continue to be another way of referencing nature in our homes, as with using natural motifs in fabric and wallpaper choices. From the bold palm print to the revival of Willam Morris’ fine floral meanderings, bringing nature indoors is limitless.

The idea that nature is constantly changing and shifting is also something that can be recreated in a house. Using interior lighting to mimic the shifting daylight patterns can have a significant impact on how we feel and use the rooms in our homes from morning to night. Layering general and task lighting (using dimmable switches) with more decorative lamps and sconces give us the ability to change the lighting for any given mood and time of day. It is important to recognise we need darker and cosy areas as much as we do bright, light airy spaces.

Embracing nature in our interiors. Top row: Morris & Co. wallpaper in Honeysuckle and Fruit, Artur table lamp by Pooky; Penny plant by Patch; Bottom row; Round green vanity stool by Homary; Kumquat tree by Patch; Bert& May tiles in Fennel and Santona

03. Purposeful spatial design and outdoor connection

Being cooped up inside for much of the past two years led many of us to crave open-air areas. As outdoor gatherings became widespread during the pandemic, patios, porches, balconies, and gardens became important. These spaces are no longer bare-bones and overlooked but are essential places to unwind and get together with friends and family.

Complementing our desire for open-air areas and a connection with the outdoors is the recognition that our internal spaces need to work better for us.

We need a combination of intimate, small spaces and wide-open areas. Small rooms can be comforting and provide a sense of shelter and intimacy, but wide-open spaces connect us back to the rest of the world. Good, purposeful design allows you to connect properly with yourself and the people around you. Each individual needs to have zones where they can do the things that are important to them, whether it’s an open space where children can play or a cosseting place to read a book or answer emails. This is perhaps the most important aspect of working with an interior designer in helping to bring your way of living, working, and playing to life.

Garden Studio incorporating an at-home gym and office area nestles amongst the trees. Design by Studio III.

04. Fitness and Wellness Rooms

The UK health and wellness industry was worth €23 billion in 2020 and continues to grow at a rate of 6.4%. More time spent at home and hybrid work schedules necessitated by COVID have led people to prioritize health along with work in the home. Home gym rooms, weight rooms and mediation sanctuaries have all become important spaces for wellness, quiet and escape.

Studio III was commissioned by a client in Berkhamstead to design and build an outdoor gym room that could also function as a second office space. Given its location in the corner of the garden, a passive design approach was central to the design. Using larch timber cladding was both a highly sustainable and durable material, that weathers with age, blending into its surroundings. Open corner glass sliding doors created a seamless transition from the outside in, maximising both light and ventilation into the space. In the warmer months, sliding slatted larch partitions allow for welcome shade without compromising on air circulation. The interior used a simple palette of natural materials, engineered oak flooring, against a simple colour scheme of dark green (F&B Duck Green) and white – reflective of the outdoors. Practical placement of the gym equipment with considered space planning and storage meant the clients can do high-intensity training, cardio and low-intensity workouts. A discreet office space gave the clients a multi-functional sanctuary.

Slatted larch timber sliding doors provide shade in summer, creating diffused light throughout and a strong connection to the outdoors. A simple sustainable palette of materials was used. Design by Studio III.

05. Think local. Recycle, re-use, re-purpose

As we become more aware of and concerned with the built environment’s impact on the earth, sustainability is a must. Understanding both the provenance and eco-credentials of materials is critical to interiors becoming more sustainable.

A huge part of promoting sustainability is supporting and working with small studios for custom furniture and lighting pieces. Using local craftsmen supports the tradition and training of new makers and keeps handmade techniques current. This contributes to the sustainability conversation, as items are made to last, with the provenance of materials highly researched.

Similarly, the rise of easy to use highly reputable online vintage furniture sites such as Vinterior or 1st Dibs, allows everyone to more easily recycle and re-use items. Decorating or refurbishing a home doesn’t always mean replacing everything with new items. Upcycling or repurposing those items that still work, bring meaning and value to your lives, and is an approach the Studio III champions.

Championing local artisan craftsmanship: Grain and Knot by Sophie Sellu where objects are made from reclaimed and locally sourced timber on a small scale

Sustainable timber furniture using traditional techniques. Arundell reading chair by Namon Gaston.